Luxury clothing met luxury vehicles Wednesday night, when the Worth Collection Ltd. hosted a fashion preview featuring two stylish winter collections at the W.I. Simonson Mercedes-Benz showroom on Wilshire Boulevard.
Organized by Worth divisional sales manager Pamela Cook and her husband, W.I. Simonson Mercedes-Benz general manager Chris Pass, the event was a shopping spree for some and a party for all. “My wife and I thought it would be fun to do this event, because both of us target the same customer,” Pass said. “She has referred many of her clients to me, so we thought ‘why not?’ It just seemed like a nice way to get people together.”
Cook summed up the soiree in three words: “Cars, clothing, cocktails.”
Founded in 1991, Worth Ltd. is a direct sales and marketing company offering custom-designed clothing available exclusively at private trunk shows held four times a year in private homes. Based in New York, Worth has more than 750 sales associates nationwide. The Santa Monica preview provided a rare chance to glimpse Worth’s sophisticated, chic clothing which can’t be found in stores. Two seasonal lines from the company’s two brands — the elegant Worth Collection, and the more casual, sporty line, WorthWear — were showcased, giving partygoers access to everything from playful cocktail dresses to no-nonsense work attire. Comprised of mix-and-match separates, the Worth Collection Ltd. carries items made of fine fabrics that come from the same mills that produce fabric for Chanel and Chloe.
Especially impressive at the Santa Monica event was the presence of several stunning jackets smartly designed with day-to-evening versatility. A sequin tulle dress from the WorthWear collection stood out as the perfect piece of youthful evening wear, as did a knee-length black textured Lurex ostrich feather skirt, perhaps the most whimsical garment on display. For women who prefer more color and less exposed leg, the Worth Collection’s candy apple organza bow camisole paired with a black crepe sienna pant took center stage as the picture of classy evening wear.
Both Worth lines are long on accessories, including a light-as-a-feather cashmere scarf and a black patent croco drop chain belt that creates a stylish cinching effect and provides a touch of subtle glimmer.
Worth regional director Janis Gallo said part of the company’s mission is to use the gifts of powerful women and give them an opportunity to make income in the fashion world. She said the women working for Worth tend to have leadership roles in their community. “Whether they are high-powered businesswomen stepping back from the career world or leaders in a church, synagogue, local school, or philanthropic endeavor, our associates all have entrepreneurial drive,” Gallo said.
Though the bulk of guests at Wednesday’s event were women, the conversation didn’t center solely on fashion. The car buzz was mostly about the eco-friendly Mercedes-Benz 2009 BlueTEC vehicles, which are designed for fuel economy and a smaller carbon footprint. Though Pass joked that an event-capping prize drawing would put a new set of car keys in one lucky guest’s pocket, winning ticketholder Danna Conine instead got a gorgeous black shearling fling courtesy of Worth. Though Conine was not there to accept her prize, there were plenty of volunteers on hand who happily modeled the sexy shawl.
